"Emily and Sandy are living proof that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer," said Bonnie Addario, 10-year lung cancer survivor and ALCF founder. "Their stories empower all of us to start an important conversation to drive better funding, new research and improved outcomes for all lung cancer patients."

Pre-diagnosis, Taylor was an active, healthy 28-year-old with a bad cough. Like most young adults who start coughing or wheezing, she did not think much of it. After a few weeks of consistent coughing, she decided to see a doctor. The first diagnosis was bronchitis. Then asthma.

Young, active, vegan and a never smoker, Jauregui visited the doctor with what she thought was a flu. Her symptoms were a cough, body aches and a fever.

After several misdiagnoses, x-rays revealed large and rapidly growing tumors in both Taylor and Jauregui: Stage IV lung cancer. This type of misdiagnosis happens frequently for young lung cancer patients. Doctors often do not think of young, non-smokers as high-risk for lung cancer.

"Many people mistakenly assume that only those who smoke are at risk," said Taylor. "I was a high school state track champion, a collegiate volleyball player and I never smoked. It's time to stop classifying lung cancer as a 'smoker's disease' and address the fact that lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer worldwide. It's time to fight for lung cancer patients."

Lung cancer is the top cancer killer of both men and women, killing almost twice as many women as any other cancers. It accounts for 27 percent of all cancer deaths and is the second leading cause of all deaths in the U.S. Last year an estimated 4,500 people under age 45 were diagnosed with lung cancer.

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About the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer FoundationThe Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF) is one of the largest philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused, and patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating Lung Cancer through research, early detection, education, and treatment. The Foundation's goal is to work with a diverse group of physicians, organizations, industry partners, individuals, patients, survivors, and their families to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change and turn lung cancer into a chronically managed disease by 2023. The ALCF was established on March 1, 2006 as a 501c(3) non-profit organization and has raised nearly $25 million for lung cancer research and related programs. For more information about the ALCF please visit www.lungcancerfoundation.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.